U.S. proposes to lift logging ban in pristine Alaska forest

The Trump administration on Tuesdayproposed lifting longstanding restrictions on logging in asoutheast Alaska forest, the nation's largest national forest.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which manages federalforests, recommended exempting Alaska's Tongass National Forestfrom the Clinton-era Roadless Rule that banned logging, roadsand mining in undeveloped forests. The rule applies to 3.7 million hectares, or 55 percent of the forest.

The Tongass is the largest intact temperate rainforest inthe world and spans 800 kilometres, covering most of southeastAlaska. The state's capital, Juneau, is located in the Tongass.

The USDA proposal is part of President Donald Trump'sbroader effort to roll back environmental regulations to boost industry. The plan is subject to a 60-day public comment periodonce it is published in the Federal Register later this week.

If adopted, it will mark a victory for Alaska stateofficials who petitioned for the change. Governor Mike Dunleavyand Senator Lisa Murkowski have said the 2001 rule has costAlaskans jobs by limiting opportunities for development of industries such as timber, mining, tourism and energy.

Alaska's three-member Congressional delegation praised theproposal in a joint statement.

"The U.S. Forest Service has amulti-use mandate for its lands that includes a timber harvest,and defending this mandate is key to ensuring that Alaska isentrusted to Alaskans," Representative Don Young said.

Environmental groups opposed the move, saying the Tongass's trees absorb greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate changeand provide critical habitat for wildlife including salmon,bear, wolves and deer.

"Alaska's elected officials are selling out theirconstituents and robbing future generations by trying to stripprotections from one of the most pristine old-growth forests inthe world," Randi Spivak, public lands director at the Centerfor Biological Diversity, said in a statement.